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1 WSU PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT Advisement Handbook HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THE PSYCHOLOGY PROGRAM 2011-2012
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WSU PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT Advisement Handbook...understanding of human behavior, psychology has widespread applications. If you enjoy working with people, are interested in human behavior,

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Page 1: WSU PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT Advisement Handbook...understanding of human behavior, psychology has widespread applications. If you enjoy working with people, are interested in human behavior,

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WSU PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT

Advisement Handbook

H OW TO G E T THE M O S T OU T O F TH E PSYC H OL O GY PR O GRA M

2011-2012

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Table of Contents

IS PSYCHOLOGY THE RIGHT MAJOR FOR ME? ............................................................................................ 3

ADVISING ................................................................................................................................................................... 4

PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR/MINOR REQUIREMENTS (2011-2010 CATALOG) ................................................ 5

EXTENDING YOUR LEARNING BEYOND THE CLASSROOM ...................................................................... 7

PROJECTS AND RESEARCH .................................................................................................................................. 7

DIRECTED READINGS ............................................................................................................................................ 8

PRACTICUM .............................................................................................................................................................. 8

DEPARTMENTAL HONORS ................................................................................................................................... 9

PSI CHI INTERNATIONAL HONORARY IN PSYCHOLOGY .......................................................................... 9

PSI CHO, THE WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY PSYCHOLOGY CLUB ........................................................... 9

BACHELOR OF INTEGRATED STUDIES (BIS) ................................................................................................ 10

TRANSFER STUDENTS .......................................................................................................................................... 10

GRADUATION (YOU’RE ALMOST THERE!) .................................................................................................... 11

PLANNING FOR GRADUATE SCHOOL? ........................................................................................................... 11

IMPORTANT CONTACTS ...................................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.

Weber State University Psychology Department 1202 University Circle • Ogden, UT 84408-1202

Phone 801.626.6247 • Fax 801.626.6275 Website: weber.edu/psychology

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Is Psychology the Right Major for Me?

sychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Because many fields rely on the understanding of human behavior, psychology has widespread applications. If you enjoy working with people, are interested in human behavior, and have a scientific view of the world, then majoring in psychology may be right for you.

The WSU Psychology Department has dedicated faculty who are actively engaged in the discipline. Faculty members receive grants and awards, present their research at professional conferences, publish their research in academic journals, and practice psychology in applied settings. Faculty members have some of the highest course evaluations at WSU and graduating majors report being very satisfied with their experience in the department. Psychology students are intellectually enriched by an exciting curriculum in which they receive excellent training in the science and practice of psychology. Small class sizes enable students to learn statistical, research, and interpersonal skills. Students also have the opportunity to participate in carefully supervised practicum courses and one-on-one research courses with faculty members. Graduating seniors have promising career trajectories and are well-prepared to succeed in graduate programs (e.g., masters or Ph.D. programs) or professional schools (e.g., law, pharmacy, medicine). Through excellence in training in the science of psychology, our Department’s mission is to facilitate students’ career aspirations and academic goals in the context of an undergraduate, Liberal Arts University, and a department which values teaching and research. The curriculum of the psychology department is centered on meeting the following learning outcome goals for undergraduate students:

1. Knowledge: Students will understand psychology as a scientific discipline. Essential to this, students will understand a core set of statistical and methodological knowledge regarding how psychologists critically evaluate, creatively test, and scientifically defend psychological claims. They will also understand a core set of content knowledge addressing the biological, cognitive/behavioral, social/personality, and developmental aspects of behavior.

2. Application: Students will be able to critically apply psychological principles and research to explain social issues, inform public policy, solve problems, understand themselves, and achieve career goals.

3. Values/Ethics: Students will share key values adopted by psychologists, which include (but are not limited to) skepticism and intellectual curiosity, tolerance of ambiguity, respect for human diversity, appreciation of their civic, social, and global responsibilities, and humility regarding the limits of their psychological knowledge and skills. Students will also grasp the spirit of the American Psychological Association (APA) Code of Ethics, follow its guidelines, and recognize the necessity of ethical behavior in all aspects of the science and practice of psychology.

4. Communication: Students will exhibit skills to professionally communicate their understanding of terms, concepts, research, and theories of the discipline to others via written and oral formats. Students will also have interpersonal and collaborative skills necessary to effectively work in groups with others who hold diverse opinions, beliefs, and attitudes.

This handbook addresses students’ most frequent questions about the Psychology program and should serve as an excellent reference for department requirements and resources.

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Advising

Who is my adviser?

The Department Adviser assists psychology majors and minors (including psychology teaching majors and minors) with annual academic planning. The Department Chair performs all graduation evaluations and assists all transfer and Bachelor of Integrated Studies (BIS) students with academic planning. Individual department faculty provide graduate school and career advising for students interested in their specific areas of expertise (e.g., biopsychology, counseling). The Social Sciences Adviser (801.626.7809, SS 138) advises psychology majors on their general education requirements for the Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees and basic University information. Appointments with the Department Adviser and Chair should be scheduled with the Department Secretary; appointments with the Social Sciences Adviser and individual department faculty should be scheduled directly.

When should I see my adviser?

You should meet with the Department Adviser at least annually to discuss your progress toward graduation and your academic and professional goals. This annual appointment also satisfies your program declaration requirement in the Psychology program. You should also meet with the Social Sciences Adviser regularly.

How should I prepare for my advising appointment?

It is best to schedule an appointment with the Adviser after you have reviewed the course schedule for the next semester and the general education and psychology courses you still need to complete. This advanced preparation will enable you to better discuss your academic progress and ask relevant questions. You should come to the advising meeting with a tentative course outline for the next semester and your questions. Be prepared to take notes. The Adviser’s job is to provide you with advice and guidance related to your progress toward graduation; do not expect the Adviser to tell you which classes you should take and what time of day to take them.

How long will my advising appointment last?

The typical meeting with the Adviser lasts about 15 minutes. If you have reason to believe that you will require more time, you should mention this to the Department Secretary when scheduling.

Do I need a minor?

A minor in another field of study is required for graduation and helpful for many reasons (note: students who have a double major are not required to have a minor). A minor can: (1) extend the scope of and complement your psychology major, (2) make you more competitive in the job market or as an applicant to graduate school, (3) give you a better understanding of some aspect of the human condition, (4) help foster your personal awareness, and (5) assist you in specializing your psychology training (e.g. a minor in neuroscience or zoology may prepare you for training in biopsychology, a minor in linguistics may prepare you for training in cognition, a minor in women’s studies may prepare you for training in social/cultural psychology, a minor in business may prepare you for training in industrial/organizational psychology). The Department Adviser and Psychology faculty are not familiar with other departments’ minor requirements. Questions about minor requirements or your double major in another program should be directed to the director of the relevant program.

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What classes should I take first?

After taking PSY 1010 (Introductory Psychology) and declaring psychology as your major, take a couple of courses on topics you enjoyed from PSY 1010 (e.g., any of the core content courses listed below) while taking your required general education courses. You should complete MATH 1010 (or equivalent) no later than your sophomore year so you can take Statistics (PSY 3600), Statistics Lab (PSY 3605), and Research Methods in Psychology (PSY 3610), in that order, by the end of your junior year. Statistics Lab can be taken with Statistics, after Statistics, or with Research Methods. It is critically important for most students considering graduate or professional school to get upper division research instruction and experience (PSY 4800, 4830 and/or 4910) by the end of their junior year or beginning of their senior year (when graduate school applications are due). One reason Statistics, Statistics Lab, and Research Methods should be taken by the end of junior year is that these courses are prerequisites for upper division research. Lower division research instruction and research (PSY 2800 or 2830) are recommended for sophomores and juniors.

Psychology Major/Minor Requirements (2011-2012 catalog)

If you are working under a different catalog, follow the requirements listed in that catalog. Refer to the current course catalog for all course prerequisites and registration restrictions.

Psychology Major and Teaching Major: Psychology Teaching Majors must meet the Teacher Education admission and licensure requirements (see Teacher Education Department) and are required to take PSY 4000 (preferred) or 4090. 1. Complete a minimum of 36 credit hours from the following:

Core General Courses (11 hours)

Core Content Courses (15 hours)

Additional Courses (10 hours) from Core General, Core Content, or Electives Group A or B. 2. A minor is required (except for students with double majors). 3. All required courses must be passed with a letter grade of AC@ or higher. An overall GPA for

Psychology courses of 2.50 or higher is required. 4. Other requirements (e.g., general education courses, upper division credit hours) may be found

in the WSU catalog and discussed with the Social Sciences Adviser. Core General Courses

PSY SS1010 Introductory Psychology 3 PSY SI3600* Statistics in Psychology 3 PSY 3605** Statistics Lab 1 PSY SI3610*** Research Methods in Psychology 4 * MATH 1010 (or equivalent) is a prerequisite. **PSY 3605 is a prerequisite or co-requisite for PSY 3610. This pre-/co-requisite applies to ALL catalog years. ***PSY SI3600 (or an equivalent with prior approval from the Department Chair) is a prerequisite.

Core Content Courses (15 hours) A. PSY 2730 Biopsychology 3

OR †NEUR 2050 Introduction to Neuroscience 3 B. †PSY 3000 Child Psychology 3

OR †PSY 3140 Psychology of Adolescence 3 C. PSY 3010 Abnormal Psychology 3 D. †PSY 3250 Conditioning and Learning 3

OR †PSY 3500 Cognition 3 E. †PSY 3460 Social Psychology 3

OR †PSY 3430 Theories of Personality 3 †One of these courses must be taken to fulfill the core course requirement; the second course may be taken as an elective.

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Electives Group A: Area Specialization Courses PSY 2000 Interpersonal Relationships 3 PSY DV2370 Psychology of Women and Gender 3 PSY 3020 Child & Adolescent Psychopathology 3 PSY DV3100 Psychology of Diversity 3 PSY 3200 Psychology of Sport, Injury & Rehabilitation 3 PSY 3270 Motivation and Emotion 3 PSY 3300 Applied Behavior Intervention 3 PSY 3550 Psychology of Consciousness 3 PSY 3560 Group Dynamics 3 PSY 3710 Physiological Psychology 3 PSY 3730 Perception 3 PSY 3740 Drugs and Behavior 3 PSY 4000 Advanced General 3 PSY 4050 Evolutionary Psychology 3 PSY 4090 History and Systems of Psychology 3 PSY 4310 Intro to Counseling Theories 3 PSY 4340 Skills & Techniques of Counseling 3 PSY 4510 Industrial & Organizational Behavior 3 PSY 4760 Tests & Measurements 3 PSY 4900 Selected Topics in Psychology 2-3 PSY 4990 Seminar 1

Electives Group B: Individualized Instruction and Experiential Courses

PSY 1050 Careers in Psychology 1 PSY 1540 Psychology of Adjustment 3 PSY 2010 Science & Profession of Psychology 3 PSY 2800 Projects and Research 1-3 PSY 2830 Directed Readings 1-3 PSY 2890 Cooperative Work Experience 1-2 PSY 4380 Practicum 1-2 PSY 4390 Practicum 1-2 PSY 4800 Projects and Research 1-3 PSY 4830 Directed Readings 1-3 PSY 4890 Cooperative Work Experience 1-2 PSY 4910 Capstone Research Project 3, 3 PSY 4920 Conferences and Workshops 1-3

Psychology Minor and Teaching Minor: A grade of "C" or better in courses used toward the Psychology Minor (a grade of "C-" is not acceptable). Psychology Teaching Minors must meet the Teacher Education admission and licensure requirements (see Teacher Education Department) and are required to take PSY 4000. Required Course (3 hours):

PSY SS1010 Introductory Psychology 3 Elective Courses (15 hours):

Elective courses may be taken from any of the courses in the Core General Courses, Core Content Courses, Elective Groups A or B. However, only one course from Electives Group B will be allowed to apply toward the minor.

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Psychology Bachelor of Integrated Studies (BIS) Emphasis A grade of "C" or better in courses used toward the Psychology BIS (a grade of "C-" is not acceptable). Required Courses (11 hours): PSY SS1010 Introductory Psychology 3 PSY 3600 Statistics in Psychology 3 PSY 3605 Psychology Statistics Lab 1 PSY 3610 Research Methods in Psychology 4 Elective Courses (minimum 7 hours):

Elective courses must receive prior approval from the Department Chair. See page 10 for more information about the Psychology BIS Emphasis.

Extending your Learning beyond the Classroom

During your sophomore and junior years you should start to get involved in activities that will supplement your psychology course work. Check with the Department Adviser and/or specific faculty members about opportunities such as research, directed readings courses, practicum, as well as involvement in Psi Chi and Psychology Club. These activities are not only fun and stimulating; they are critical to make you competitive for jobs and/or graduate school. Everyone with whom you will be competing for a job or a place in a graduate program will have completed college with good grades. What will make you stand out from the crowd? Involvement in activities outside of the classroom is an excellent way to show your commitment and competence in the field of psychology in a way that goes beyond course work. Supervised research (PSY 2800, 4800, 4910) and directed readings (PSY 2830, 4830) are excellent means for you to personalize your course of study through intensive exploration of a topic that is of particular interest to you. Practicum (PSY 4380, 4390) is an excellent opportunity for you to apply what you have learned in the classroom in a psycho-educational context and to determine if a career in applied psychology is for you.

What are the benefits?

Students who participate in these activities often report they were a highlight of their college experience. In addition, students seeking admission to graduate school can expect graduate admissions committees to value the ambition and intellectual curiosity demonstrated by supervised research, reading, or practicum experiences. These experiences allow students to have more extensive and personalized attention than can be obtained in the classroom. Because a letter of recommendation is strongest when a faculty member can report knowing the student quite well, this more extensive contact with a professor can result in a particularly strong letter of recommendation.

Projects and Research

What is Projects and Research?

Projects and Research (PSY 2800, 4800) is a course for students who want to get research experience. The research question may be your own idea or one being explored in a faculty member’s ongoing research in which you get involved.

How do I enroll?

First, you must find a faculty member willing to serve as your research mentor. If the research idea is your own (e.g., an extension of a research methods project or other coursework), you should find a faculty member with interest and/or expertise in the area. Otherwise, you should investigate the current research ongoing in the department (see faculty websites and/or the research board outside

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the main Department office) and seek to get involved in a faculty member’s research lab. Your faculty mentor will then discuss with you the research course in which you should enroll. PSY 2800 is for students with no research experience and who have not yet taken Research Methods (1-2 credits). PSY 4800 is for students who are interested in research and who have taken Research Methods (2-3 credits). PSY 4910 is for students who would like to complete a senior thesis and/or obtain Departmental Honors in Psychology (must be taken for 6 credits, typically over two consecutive semesters). Your faculty mentor will discuss with you the credit hours and details of the work expectation of the course. Upon agreement, you will complete a form that will serve as a course contract between you and the faculty mentor. The completed form should be given to the Department Secretary, who will advise you on how to register for the course.

Directed Readings

What is Directed Readings?

Directed Readings (PSY 2830, 4830) is a course for students who want to investigate a topic of particular interest. The topic will be one that you and a faculty member agree upon and may involve exploring a theory/concept covered in one of your courses in more depth or exploring a theory/concept not covered by a regularly scheduled course.

How do I enroll?

First, you must find a department faculty member who is willing to serve as your readings mentor. You should find a faculty member with interest and/or expertise in the area who is comfortable supervising your projects. Your faculty mentor will then discuss with you the reading course in which you should enroll. PSY 2830 is intended for students who have not yet taken Research Methods (1-2 credits); PSY 4830 is intended for students who have taken Research Methods (2-3 credits). Your faculty mentor will discuss with you the credit hours and details of the work expectation of the course. Upon agreement, you will complete a form that will serve as a course contract between you and the faculty mentor. The completed form should be given to the Department Secretary, who will advise you on how to register for the course.

Practicum

What is Practicum?

Practicum (PSY 4380, 4390) is a course for students who want to be placed in state or community agencies for the purpose of getting supervised practice in application of psychological skills and knowledge. Practicum sites have included the WSU Counseling Center, Youth Impact, the Treehouse Museum, and programs in local middle and high schools.

How do I enroll?

First, you should contact the Practicum Coordinator for application deadlines for Fall and Spring semesters. Completed applications are reviewed by the Practicum committee. Finalists will be interviewed by members of the Practicum committee. Your Practicum supervisor will discuss with you the credit hours and details of the work expectation of the course. Upon agreement, you will complete a form that will serve as a course contract between you and the faculty mentor. The completed form should be given to the Department Secretary, who will advise you on how to register for the course.

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Departmental Honors

What is Departmental Honors?

To earn Departmental Honors in Psychology, a student must maintain a departmental GPA of 3.7 and an overall GPA of 3.25, successfully complete 6 hours of PSY 4910 Capstone Research Project (see course catalog), and complete 3 credit hours of General Honors coursework. Students who earn Departmental Honors will be recognized with special designations on their transcript and degree diploma, a personalized letter signed by the President of WSU and the Honors Director, invitations to the Honors educational and social events and to the Honors Nye-Cortez banquet at the end of the academic year.

How do I enroll?

Students must apply to be awarded Departmental Honors and be cleared by both the Psychology and the Honors Program. After ensuring you meet the above requirements, you should complete the Application for Departmental Honors in Psychology and submit it to the Honors Director (Steward Library, 2nd floor). You must be cleared for graduation with Departmental Honors by Marilyn Diamond, the Honors Adviser (801.626.7336; [email protected]).

Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology

Psi Chi is the International Honor Society in Psychology. Our chapter gives you the opportunity to join the honor society if you meet the standards required by Psi Chi and the Association of College Honor Societies. Our chapter requires that applicants be of junior or senior standing, have completed at least 10 credit hours in Psychology, and have a 3.25 overall and Psychology GPA.

Membership in Psi Chi is an earned honor for life. A permanent record of your membership is preserved at the Psi Chi National Office and may be used for reference purposes (e.g., applications for graduate school and jobs). One-time $60 dues ($45 National dues, $15 Chapter dues) are for lifetime membership, a certificate suitable for framing, and other benefits. There are no annual dues. When you are inducted into Psi Chi, you become eligible to wear Psi Chi regalia at graduation and to receive copies of Psi Chi’s magazine, “Eye on Psi Chi”. Psi Chi members are eligible to present research papers/posters at Psi Chi programs held at national and regional conventions, and members may participate in Psi Chi’s undergraduate and graduate research award and grant programs. Undergraduate members may submit their research for publication in the Psi Chi Journal of Undergraduate Research. For more information on Psi Chi and its benefits, visit www.psichi.org. To join, submit a completed membership application and National and Chapter registration cards to the Psi Chi faculty adviser, who will then determine your membership eligibility.

Psi Cho, the Weber State University Psychology Club

You should consider joining Psi Cho, the Weber State University Psychology Club, if you love psychology and want to get involved in academic and social events related to Psychology but currently do not meet the chapter standards for membership in Psi Chi. Membership in Psi Cho will give you the opportunity to get involved in the department and on campus and to interact with your peers and faculty in Psychology. Please submit a completed Psi Cho membership application with your one-time $15 chapter dues to the Psychology Club faculty adviser.

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Bachelor of Integrated Studies (BIS)

How do I declare a Bachelor of Integrated Studies (BIS) in Psychology?

First, call 801.626.7713 to set up an appointment with the Director of the BIS Program (Student Services room 140). Second, decide on your 3 areas of emphasis, one of which is Psychology. Finally, meet with each Department Chair to discuss your required and elective courses (the required courses are listed on page 7). Call the Department Secretary (801.626.6247) to set up an appointment with the Psychology Department Chair. The Department Secretary will provide the Chair with a copy of your transcripts, but you will need to bring a copy of your BIS contract. PSY 1010 will NOT count among the 18 credits you need if you count it as a General Education class.

Transfer Students

Which classes will transfer to WSU?

Weber State University accepts transfer credit from regionally accredited colleges and universities, and awards credit for competencies gained outside the university as measured by way of standard examination such as the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and the Advanced Placement program (AP), the International Baccalaureate (IB), by special examination administered by individual departments, and by petition. The Transfer office can help you transfer to Weber State University the credits for courses taken elsewhere that may count towards your degree. Please see weber.edu/Admissions/Transfer_Guide.html for information on the transfer process at WSU. The Department Chair, guided by the WSU Transfer office and Utah State Board of Regents policy on transfer credit, can accept the courses and credits as counting towards your Psychology major or minor. The Psychology Department accepts course credits from Psychology classes (no other departments) taken at regionally accredited universities. An explanation of accreditation can be found at chea.org/degreemills/default.htm. More information about a school’s accreditation can be found at ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx.

Why didn’t my psychology courses transfer in the way I expected?

Your transcripts will be evaluated by the Transfer office as part of the admissions process at WSU. If a Psychology course(s) did not transfer in the way you expected you can request that it be reevaluated by the Department Chair. To have a class reevaluated, you will need to set up a meeting with the Chair by contacting the Department Secretary at 801.626.6247. If the university where you took your Psychology course(s) was acceptable, the Chair will determine how the credits will count towards your Psychology major or minor. For the Chair to accept a transfer course in lieu of a course in the WSU Psychology curriculum, you must demonstrate to the Chair’s satisfaction that the courses are equivalent, typically by bringing in a course syllabus or other similar documentation beyond the course description.

Residency Policy

The Psychology Department has established a residency policy for students transferring undergraduate psychology credits from another accredited institution of higher education. Students who are majoring in Psychology must complete at least 9 credits hours of Psychology courses with a C or better in residence at Weber State University; students who are minoring in Psychology must complete at least 6 credit hours of Psychology courses with a C or better in residence at Weber State University. All transfer requests must go through the University Transfer Office.

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Graduation (You’re almost there!)

How and when do I apply for graduation?

You must receive clearance from your major and minor departments and clearance for your General Education requirements before you can graduate. Psychology majors are strongly encouraged to seek clearance once they have registered for their final semester of coursework. Consult the Graduation office for information about application fees and deadlines. Contact the Department Secretary with your W# the semester before you plan to graduate to schedule your graduation evaluation. Scheduling your appointment early leaves time to satisfy any remaining requirements. Graduation Evaluation appointments are approximately 15 minutes; please let the Secretary know if you think you will need more time.

Psychology Department Assessment

Please complete the WSU Psychology Graduation Evaluation survey (found on the FAQs page of our website or in the Department office) and bring it to your Graduation Evaluation appointment.

Planning for Graduate School?

To help students understand when and why they should take certain courses earlier rather than later, and to highlight the importance of doing research for graduate school, we offer two examples below to show a successful and not-so-successful undergraduate study. Please recognize that there are many ways to achieve your personal goals with the WSU courses available and extracurricular opportunities. These examples are meant only to clarify how waiting too long can hurt your chances at getting into a graduate or professional program.

Successful Strategy Not-so-successful Strategy

Freshman Year:

Complete PSY 1010 and math requirements (up to at least MATH 1010)

Freshman Year:

Complete PSY 1010

Sophomore Year:

Take some PSY core courses and electives.

Take PSY 2830 (Directed Readings) or 2800 (Projects and Research).

Possibly present research at a professional meeting and get a travel scholarship from the WSU Office of Undergraduate Research to pay for your travel.

Take PSY 3600 (Statistics) and PSY 3605 (Statistics Lab) in 2nd semester

Sophomore Year:

Take some PSY core courses and electives.

Take Math requirement (up to at least MATH 1010).

Junior Year:

Take some PSY core courses and electives.

Take PSY 3610 (Research Methods) in 1st semester.

Join Psi Cho or Psi Chi.

Take PSY 4800, 4830, or 4910 in 2nd semester.

Junior Year:

Take some PSY core courses and electives.

Take PSY 3600 (Statistics) and PSY 3605 (Statistics Lab) in 2nd semester

Join Psi Cho or Psi Chi

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Possibly present research at professional meeting. With PSY 4910 you may apply for a “long term grant” from the WSU Office of Undergraduate Research to fund your project

Senior Year: First Semester

Take some PSY core courses and electives.

Continue to develop the research project started in junior year.

Possibly present research at a professional meeting.

Possibly submit your work for publication in the WSU research journal ERGO

Note: Applications to graduate school are almost always due by December (end of first semester senior year).

Senior Year: First Semester

Take some PSY core courses and electives.

Take PSY 3610 (Methods) in 1st semester.

Ask faculty about directed readings or research possibilities, but find that you can only do lower division courses (PSY 2800 or 2830) because you have not yet finished Methods.

Discover that even if you do research this semester, there is no way you can present the research at a regional or national meeting until the following semester (long after your graduate school applications are due)

Benefits to this strategy: By the end of the 1st semester of your Senior Year (when graduate applications are due), your application may show:

Good grades

Membership in Psi Cho or Psi Chi

1 or 2 research projects

1 or 2 travel grants awarded to you

1 or 2 presentations at a professional meeting

A “long term grant” awarded to you to pay for your own research project

A publication in the WSU research journal ERGO

Departmental Honors (if you took 2 semesters of PSY 4910 and met other requirements)

Strong letters of recommendations from faculty who know you extremely well

Consequences of this strategy: By the end of the 1st semester of your Senior Year (when graduate applications are due), your application may show:

Good grades

Membership in Psi Cho or Psi Chi

Weak letters of recommendation from faculty who only know your face in class.

Nothing else (and the sinking suspicion that other student applicants have a much more impressive resume)

NOTE: Some students choose to wait until after they have graduated to apply to graduate school. This can be a good way to get additional experience and have more time to build your resume and complete your application materials. If you follow the traditional route of applying in December of your senior year (end of fall semester) you should know that nothing you do in your 2nd semester of senior year will show up in your applications. This is why it is critical to start building your resume early.

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Important Contacts

You can contact the Department Secretary by phone (801.626.6247), fax (801.626.6275), or by email ([email protected]). The Department Secretary can help you arrange an appointment with the Department Adviser or with the Department Chair. You can contact the Social Sciences Adviser by phone (801.626.7809), or in person (SS 138).

Professor Area of Interest Office Phone (801) Email address

Eric Amsel (Chair) Developmental SS 354 626.6658 [email protected]

Aaron Ashley Cognitive SS 328A 626.8743 [email protected]

Todd Baird Clinical SS 328B 626.7724 [email protected]

Lauren Fowler Neuroscience SS 368 626.7620 [email protected]

Azenett Garza Social SS 328D 626.6249 [email protected]

Joseph Horvat Personality SS 334 626.6248 [email protected]

Theresa Kay Clinical SS 366 626.6812 [email protected]

María Parrilla de Kokal Clinical Developmental

SS 328B 626.7622 [email protected]

Melinda Russell-Stamp School/ Educational

D 308K SS 354

395.3592 626.6399

[email protected]

Matthew Schmolesky Neuroscience SS 356 626.8745 [email protected]

Leigh Shaw Developmental SS 362 626.7429 [email protected]

Richard Grow (Emeritus) Clinical SS 348 626.6713 [email protected]

Mark Adams (Adjunct) Clinical SC 280 626.6406 [email protected]

Melissa Alder (Adjunct) Clinical SC 280 626.6406 [email protected]

Heather Chapman (Adjunct) Cognitive SS 305 626.6247 [email protected]

Bruce Haslam (Emeritus and Adjunct)

Social SS 305 626.6247 [email protected]

Lawrence Helmbrecht (Adjunct)

Clinical SC 280 626.6406 [email protected]

Donna Hunter (Adjunct) Clinical SC 280 626.6406 [email protected]

Douglas Richards (Adjunct) Neuroscience SS 305 626.6247 [email protected]

Craig Oreshnick (Adjunct) Clinical SC 280 626.6406 [email protected]

Peggy Smith (Adjunct SLCC) Developmental Psychopathology

[email protected]

Jennette Wood (Adjunct) Clinical SC 280 626.6406 [email protected]